Page 240 - KHALIFA FUND PR REPORT JUNE 2025

6/17/25, 1:32 PM Abu Dhabi startup ecosystem ranks 3rd in MENA for performance, generates $4.4 billion in value
The GSER 2025 highlights Abu Dhabi’s impressive leap into the top emerging global startup ecosystems,
ranking in the #51-60 tier, up from its previous #61-70 position. This advancement comes despite a global
14 percent decline in overall startup ecosystem value.

Notably, Abu Dhabi generated $4.4 billion in ecosystem value between July 1, 2022, and December 31,
2024, marking a 6 percent annual growth.

Abu Dhabi also ranked 3rd in the MENA region for Performance, a category that evaluates startup success
through valuations and exit activity. This recognition reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a dynamic,
results-driven hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.

“Abu Dhabi’s rise in global rankings reflects the strength of our startup community and the impact of
Hub71’s ecosystem-enabling initiatives. Over the past six years, Hub71 has built a connected network of
founders, investors, corporates, and global partners, enabling sustainable startup growth, international
scaling, and the evolution of Abu Dhabi’s early-stage technology landscape. This progress is driven by
Abu Dhabi’s deliberate focus on innovation and technology, alongside an increasingly agile business and
regulatory environment,” said Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71.

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Abu Dhabi among top 5 ecosystems in MENA across key categories

The report also places Abu Dhabi among the top five startup ecosystems in MENA across several core
categories, including Knowledge, Funding and Talent & Experience. Additionally, the emirate was
recognized among the region’s best for “Bang for Buck,” reflecting efficient use of venture capital and a
strong return on investment.

FinTech, ClimateTech, and Digital Assets are key strengths of Abu Dhabi’s innovation landscape,
supported extensively by strategic regulatory frameworks and sector-specific infrastructure. Key
developments, including ADGM’s expanded licensing frameworks, substantial venture funding, and
strategic partnerships in sustainability-focused enterprises, and strategic alliances in blockchain
technology, exemplify the emirate’s deliberate and cohesive strategy for long-term economic
diversification and innovation.

The emirate’s appeal also lies in forward-thinking policies, such as streamlined regulatory procedures and
targeted government support for technology-driven sectors. Initiatives such as Khalifa Fund’s MZN HUB
are pivotal in bridging local startups with international innovation networks, further amplifying Abu
Dhabi’s global entrepreneurial influence.

Abu Dhabi’s consistent rise in global rankings over the past three years highlights the strength of its
strategy and the growth of its startup ecosystem, positioning the emirate as a leading global hub for
innovation.

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